Pattaya, Thailand – A 34-year-old Thai motorcycle ride-hailing driver surrendered to police after allegedly stabbing a 42-year-old Indian tourist during a private birthday celebration in Pattaya, claiming he was startled by fireworks. However, witnesses insist no fireworks were set off and describe the attack as a sudden, unprovoked assault following a brief verbal exchange.
The incident unfolded at approximately 1:36 a.m. on December 28th, 2025, at a bar on Pattaya Third Road.
Rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation received a report of a foreign tourist stabbed and rushed to the scene alongside Pattaya City Police. They found the victim, identified as Mr. Sanjay Maheshbhai Sharma, aged 42, suffering from a single stab wound to the mid-back, believed to have been inflicted by a folding knife. He received initial first aid before being transported to a local hospital, where his condition is now reported as stable and under close medical supervision.
Witnesses, whose identities have been protected, told investigators that the group was enjoying a lively birthday party for Mr. Sharma when a Thai man on a Honda Wave motorcycle pulled up outside the venue. The assailant – described as a tall male in his 30s-40s wearing a long-sleeved white Playboy shirt, jeans, and sneakers – approached and asked, “What are you selling?”
When informed it was simply a private birthday gathering and nothing was for sale, the man allegedly suddenly drew a knife and lunged at Mr. Sharma, stabbing him once in the back. He then calmly walked back to his motorcycle and rode away along Pattaya Third Road.
Clear CCTV footage captured the entire sequence, including the attacker’s appearance and the motorcycle’s license plate, enabling police to quickly identify and pressure the suspect.
In the early hours of the same day, at 3:46 a.m., the suspect – named as Thanwa Pholyiam, aged 34 – turned himself in at Pattaya City Police Station amid intense police pursuit. He confessed to the stabbing but claimed he panicked after hearing fireworks from the party, contradicting witness accounts that only balloon pops were heard and no fireworks were lit.
Investigators remain unconvinced by Pholyiam’s motive explanation and are holding him for detailed questioning. The case will advance once Mr. Sharma has recovered enough to provide a full statement, allowing police to explore potential underlying reasons, including whether the attack was premeditated or hired.
Authorities stated that a thorough investigation will ensure all facts are established before proceeding with formal charges under Thai law.
